Colder Saturday for Southland

Oyster Festival-goers beware, Saturday's weather is set to be even colder than Friday's.

But it's not all bad news, as MetService meteorologist Lisa Murray suggests Stewart Island might just shelter Bluff from the worst of the stormy weather.

On Friday, Southland was lashed by wind, rain, hail, and in some places, snow.

The wind and rain resulted in several callouts for firefighters, one of which to help nail down roofing iron.

A police spokeswoman said while there had not been any weather-related callouts for them to attend, there had been several reports of fallen trees.

Murray said the top temperature recorded at Invercargill Airport on Friday was 9.4 degrees, and the public could expect Saturday to be colder, with a forecast high of 8degC, but it will possibly drier.

"The rain you've had [on Friday] is going to shift through, but in behind it is the south-westerly air."

Snow could be expected in Southland down to about 200m, or even lower, she said.

Showers, hail, sleet, snow, and thunderstorms were all possible for Invercargill and Bluff on Saturday morning, with wind gusts of up to 120 kmh and some showers to continue throughout the day.

By Sunday, however, Southlanders should see the showers clear off, and winds will gradually ease, Murray said.